Animal hit: is damage to car covered by my car insurance?
If your car is damaged as a result of a collision with an animal, that is of course very annoying. This damage can occur in various ways. It could be that a deer unexpectedly jumps in front of your car on the highway or that you accidentally collide with a dog in your street. Can you claim these damages on your car insurance? What about liability?
Animal hit what now?
If you have hit a pet, the owner of the animal is liable. The law states that the owner of the pet must compensate the damage to your car. If you have WA limited casco or all-risk car insurance, you can claim the damage from the insurance company. Your insurer will recover the damage from the owner of the pet.
For many insurers, claiming damage caused by a (wild) animal does not affect your no-claim discount.
Who is liable in animal collision?
In the event of a collision with an animal, you must make an important distinction between animals with and without an owner. In the case of crossing wildlife, there is no owner of the animal. No one can be held liable for this. In that case it depends on the coverage of your car insurance whether you will be compensated for the damage. If you have a WA car insurance, there will be no coverage from the insurance. A WA insurance only compensates damage that you cause to another person with your car.
If you have a WA limited casco or all-risk car insurance, the damage to your car caused by wild animals will almost always be reimbursed. Please note! This is about the damage caused by the collision with the animal itself, not about the damage caused by an evasive manoeuvre.
What to do in case of wild animal collision?
Are you involved in a collision with a wild animal? If so, contact your insurer or agent. Also, always call the police and wait for an officer or wildlife officer to arrive at the scene. They will take the animal away or try to locate the hit animal. It is illegal to drive on after an accident with a wild animal. It is also forbidden to take the hit animal yourself.
In case of damage caused by a collision with a wild animal, you usually pay a deductible. Whether this is the case with your insurance can be found in the policy conditions.
You can try to recover the damage from the manager of the area from which the animal escaped. This is only possible if the fences or wildlife grids around the area were not in order.
Do you have any questions? Then please contact us. We are happy to help! We are available on working days from 08:00 to 18:00 on telephone number 088-6883700.
Collision deer insurance
Did you know that every month, on average, 500 roe deer, wild boar, red deer and other (large) wild animals are hit? This happens mainly on provincial roads in woody areas and especially at night, when visibility is less good. If you accidentally hit a roe deer and damage your car, it is difficult to hold someone liable for the damage. A roe deer is a wild animal and does not have an owner. It depends on the coverage of your car insurance whether you will be reimbursed for the damage.
Deer hit by insurance
Whether your insurance covers a collision with a deer depends on how you are insured. If you have WA + Beperkt Casco or Allrisk car insurance, you can probably claim the damage from your car insurer. With some insurers you pay your own risk when you hit a deer or other wild animal. You can find out how this works with your insurer in the policy conditions. Even if you have no damage to your car, you should call the police. The police will then ensure that a fauna manager locates the injured deer or collects the deceased animal.
Dog hit by car
If your dog is hit by a car, the driver of the car can hold you liable for any damage to the car. Dutch law states that the owner of an animal is liable for the animal's behaviour. However, the driver has to be able to prove that your dog caused the damage by his own natural behaviour, for example, if the dog suddenly ran into the street. If your dog is injured, you will probably have to pay the medical costs yourself. For this, you may want to take out animal insurance.
Collision deer insurance
Did you know that every month, on average, 500 roe deer, wild boar, red deer and other (large) wild animals are hit? This happens mainly on provincial roads in woody areas and especially at night, when visibility is less good. If you accidentally hit a roe deer and damage your car, it is difficult to hold someone liable for the damage. A roe deer is a wild animal and does not have an owner. It depends on the coverage of your car insurance whether you will be reimbursed for the damage.
Deer hit by insurance
Whether your insurance covers a collision with a deer depends on how you are insured. If you have WA + Beperkt Casco or Allrisk car insurance, you can probably claim the damage from your car insurer. With some insurers you pay your own risk when you hit a deer or other wild animal. You can find out how this works with your insurer in the policy conditions. Even if you have no damage to your car, you should call the police. The police will then ensure that a fauna manager locates the injured deer or collects the deceased animal.
Dog hit by car
If your dog is hit by a car, the driver of the car can hold you liable for any damage to the car. Dutch law states that the owner of an animal is liable for the animal's behaviour. However, the driver has to be able to prove that your dog caused the damage by his own natural behaviour, for example, if the dog suddenly ran into the street. If your dog is injured, you will probably have to pay the medical costs yourself. For this, you may want to take out animal insurance.
Reporting a hit-and-run animal
Have you hit an animal? Always report it to the police and do not just drive on. This is punishable by law. By reporting a hit-and-run, you also spare the animal unnecessary suffering. Sometimes an animal is dead on the spot, but it can also be that the animal is (seriously) injured and runs away. A broken jaw or leg can cause a lot of pain and suffering. In order to make sure that the animal does not die a miserable and painful death, a fauna manager or hunter will go in search of the wounded animal to quickly put it out of its misery.
Animal hit: who to call?
After a collision with an animal you are obliged to report this to the police. Even if the animal flees. A fauna manager can track down the animal to prevent unnecessary suffering. You can contact the police via 0900-8844. Is a motorist seriously injured or is there a serious traffic situation after the collision? Then always call 112. Sometimes people think they should call the animal ambulance instead of the police. However, animals that live in the wild have little or no chance of surviving rehabilitation. That is why the animal ambulance cannot do anything in this respect. If it concerns small wildlife that has been hit by a car and is still alive, the animal ambulance is sometimes called in.
Animals hit: what to do?
You have hit an animal, what should you do now? Running into an animal is not a pleasant experience. Try to stay calm and act immediately to spare the animal unnecessary suffering. Call the police immediately on 0900-8844. In case of a dangerous traffic situation it is best to call 112. Also call the police if the animal does not stay down, but flees injured. Try to give your location as accurately as possible so that you can be helped easily. Wait for the police or the fauna manager to arrive. Always take photographs of the situation. Finally, never take hit-and-run game again. This is punishable by law.
Reporting a hit-and-run animal
Have you hit an animal? Always report it to the police and do not just drive on. This is punishable by law. By reporting a hit-and-run, you also spare the animal unnecessary suffering. Sometimes an animal is dead on the spot, but it can also be that the animal is (seriously) injured and runs away. A broken jaw or leg can cause a lot of pain and suffering. In order to make sure that the animal does not die a miserable and painful death, a fauna manager or hunter will go in search of the wounded animal to quickly put it out of its misery.
Animal hit: who to call?
After a collision with an animal you are obliged to report this to the police. Even if the animal flees. A fauna manager can track down the animal to prevent unnecessary suffering. You can contact the police via 0900-8844. Is a motorist seriously injured or is there a serious traffic situation after the collision? Then always call 112. Sometimes people think they should call the animal ambulance instead of the police. However, animals that live in the wild have little or no chance of surviving rehabilitation. That is why the animal ambulance cannot do anything in this respect. If it concerns small wildlife that has been hit by a car and is still alive, the animal ambulance is sometimes called in.
Animals hit: what to do?
You have hit an animal, what should you do now? Running into an animal is not a pleasant experience. Try to stay calm and act immediately to spare the animal unnecessary suffering. Call the police immediately on 0900-8844. In case of a dangerous traffic situation it is best to call 112. Also call the police if the animal does not stay down, but flees injured. Try to give your location as accurately as possible so that you can be helped easily. Wait for the police or the fauna manager to arrive. Always take photographs of the situation. Finally, never take hit-and-run game again. This is punishable by law.
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